The first tree on the Treeline journey is in the Copou Public Gardens of Iasi. It is a linden tree (silver lime) that according to recent data is approximately 540 years old. Throughout its long life it has been beset by danger. Initially it was just one tree of many in a local natural forest, but when the Public Gardens were created in 1833 many trees were lost to the landscaping design. It was decided however to preserve a few of the multi-centennial trees and this particular tree was one lucky one. Then during the second world war the gardens were turned into a prisoner-of-war camp by the Soviet army and again many trees were felled, but the tree was saved by locals. Then in 1950 a storm damaged the tree breaking the main axis and many branches. More recently in 2013 there were plans to remove the tree once more, but following student protests this decision was reversed.
In addition to its charmed life, it has a very large cavity in the centre of its trunk, a hollow which some time ago was reinforced with cement, sand, metal poles and so on to help it. However, this was then found to be toxic and so removed. Since it has been left alone, within this cavity remarkably new sapwood has begun to grow and within the next fifteen years or so will fill the cavity.
The tree is famous not just for its stamina, fortune and longevity but also its connections with eminent Romanian poet Mihai Eminescu, who wrote about the tree, often from under the tree itself and cherished it throughout his life. It is monument to him and a significant icon for the city.
This tree is the starting point for the new music I am composing. Our partner in Iasi is Classix Festival and a community from the festival itself visited the tree, wrote poems, took photos and made audio recordings. I thank Octavian Merches and all the participants from Classix who have contributed images and data to the project..
